Rangat, Sept 03: The severely dilapidated condition of Yeratta Jetty in Middle Andaman has prompted a demand for its immediate reconstruction, with BJP Nimbutala Mandal President Venteswar Rao urging the Port Management Board (PMB) to initiate time-bound measures to restore the important passenger connectivity facility serving Long Island and adjoining areas.
The existing jetty is understood to be several decades old and has remained in a poor and increasingly unsafe condition for several years. With the permanent facility continuing to deteriorate, a pontoon was introduced as a temporary arrangement for boat berthing and passenger movement.
However, despite the temporary nature of the arrangement, the pontoon has continued to serve as the principal facility even after several years, raising concerns over the adequacy and safety of passenger movement at the location.
Yeratta serves as an important connectivity point for residents and passengers travelling to and from Long Island and nearby areas. Around three boat services operate from the location each day, making the facility an important link for local transportation and access to essential services.
Rao has pointed out that boarding and disembarkation through the temporary pontoon can become particularly inconvenient during high tide and adverse sea conditions. Rough weather and difficult marine conditions can further compound the challenges faced by passengers, particularly elderly persons, children and those carrying luggage.
He has therefore urged the PMB to conduct an immediate inspection of the site and assess the condition of the existing jetty and associated infrastructure. Based on the assessment, he has called for reconstruction of the existing jetty or construction of a new permanent facility on priority.
Rao has also sought the implementation of necessary interim safety measures until a permanent jetty is constructed and made operational. Such measures, he said, would be important to ensure that passengers continue to use the facility without being exposed to avoidable risks during the reconstruction period.
The demand comes at a time when connectivity infrastructure remains critical to the development of remote island communities. For residents of Long Island and surrounding areas, marine transport is not merely a tourism facility but an essential means of movement and access.
The condition of the Yeratta Jetty is also significant from a tourism perspective. Long Island has considerable potential as a tourism destination, and reliable passenger infrastructure is likely to play an important role in supporting future tourism activity and economic development in the area.
Rao has emphasised that reconstruction of the jetty should therefore be viewed not only as a passenger-safety requirement but also as an investment in the long-term development of the region.
A modern and safe permanent jetty could improve the overall passenger experience, facilitate more efficient boat operations and strengthen connectivity between Long Island and other parts of Middle Andaman. It could also provide a more dependable foundation for tourism-related development in the area.
The continued reliance on a temporary pontoon, years after it was introduced as an interim solution, has now become the central concern raised by Rao. He has called upon the PMB to move beyond temporary arrangements and initiate a concrete plan for a permanent facility.
An immediate site inspection followed by a time-bound reconstruction plan, along with adequate interim safety arrangements, could address the concerns of passengers and local residents while ensuring that connectivity is not disrupted.
For communities dependent on marine transport, the condition of the infrastructure at their point of embarkation can directly affect everyday mobility. The demand for reconstruction of Yeratta Jetty has consequently brought renewed attention to the need for durable, safe and modern marine infrastructure in the island territories.
